Car Rental Hungary - Exploring Hungary

Beyond Budapest are the vast Hungary plains, but along the Danube and nestled in the hills of the northeast are some lovely places.

A few hours’ drive from Budapest are several delightful historic towns nestled among the hilly, picturesque terrain. Beside the Danube, Szentendre is the closest - built by the Serb settlers in the 17th century, it is now popular with artists. Atop the hilly town of Visegrád is Solomon's Tower, one of Central Europe's largest and best preserved Romanesque castle keeps.

Beautifully preserved baroque architecture gives the town of Eger , in the northeast, a relaxed, almost Mediterranean feel. Nestled in the mountains, it’s popular with locals and holds a special place in Hungarian history, after the occupying Turks were rebuffed here centuries ago. With its pedestrianised centre, plentiful ancient buildings and Eger Castle, this town really is worth the journey.

In the centre of the country, Lake Balaton is a vast shallow lake with a lazy atmosphere. Along its shoreline is an odd mix off highrise hotels, quiet resort towns, forgotten bays, deserted beaches and lively holiday towns. Siófok, is full of budget German tourists, Keszthely show fascinating signs of a pre-Soviet elite hideaway.

Hortobágy National Park is perhaps Hungary’s finest, encompassing 520km2 in the northeast and best known for its variety of bird species.

Driving is easy, roads are safe and simply passing through the ‘frozen-in-time’ countryside of this unusual and as yet ‘un-discovered’ destination is rewarding.